If you missed part 1 you can check it out here: https://asonofvirginia.blog/2024/11/20/the-jones-family-of-slate-river-buckingham-county-virginia-part-1/
In Part 1 , we examined an 1803 Buckingham County deed and a 1793-1799 Prince Edward County District Court case file that provided proof of kinship and a significant amount of family history for the Joneses of Slate River in Buckingham County, Virginia. In brief:
In this 2nd installment we confirm the evidentiary grants and deeds from the Jones v. Jone case and examine other records related to the Joneses of Slate River.
Goochland County & Albemarle County
As discussed in Part 1, Thomas Jones and his sons John and William all received 400-acre grants on the forks of the Slate River in Goochland County in 1740.[1] The Slate River Joneses were in Goochland County for just four years when in 1744 their lands fell into the newly formed Albemarle County.
Thomas Jones appears twice on a list of 1745 land surveys in Albemarle County – one for 243 acres and the other for 340 acres. The next names on the list are neighbors of the Joneses – Samuel Glover and Samuel Glover, Jr.[2] In 1746, Thomas Jones added another 400 acre tract on the “north branches of Slate River” and bounded by William Jones [his son], Samuel Glover and Charles Burk.[3] This was the disputed tract in the Jones v. Jones suit.
On 12 June 1746, Samuel Glover’s will was presented in Court by Sarah Glover, Executrix and on oath of several witnesses was ordered recorded. Ordered that Anthony Bennie, John Hunter, Edward Wood and George Holms Gwinn or any three of them, appraise the Estate of Samuel Glover and return it to the next court. At the request of Sarah relict of Samuel Glover, decd “the Deposition of Thomas Jones ( who writ [wrote] the Will of the said Samuel Glover Decd produced in Court) was ordered to be recorded.”
Thomas Jones testified that “he verily believe the Testators Intent was to give an Estate in simple in the several Legacies in the said Will bequeathed and as he likewise believes the words they and their heirs for Ever fully Intended by the said Testator but were omitted through his neglect,” and further he saith not.[4] On 12 February 1746/7, Sarah Glover’s petition against Thomas Jones was dismissed by consent of the parties with Jones paying the costs.[5] Unfortunately, I was not able to find a copy of Glover’s will.
On 10 September 1755, Thomas Jones and his sons John and William, received a joint patent for 2,762 acres. This grant was comprised of their separate 1740 and 1746 grants totaling 1,600 acres and 1,162 acres of new lands [never before granted] adjacent to their existing holdings.[6] This was the so called “inclusive” patent from the Jones v. Jones case, which decided the case in favor of William Jones. On 16 August 1756, Thomas Jones[7] added another 400 acres through a grant for on the north branches of the middle fork of Slate River.[8] Finally, on 15 December 1760 Thomas Jones, John Jones & William Jones sold John Hoy 340 acres in Albemarle County. None had a wife that waived her dower interest.[9] Perhaps this 340 acre tract was the one he had surveyed in 1745 above?
Brunswick County – Falling River
While older brothers John and William Jones were in Buckingham, their younger brother Thomas Jones, Jr. moved to lands on Falling River in Brunswick County. On 30 July 1742, Thomas Jones received a grant in Brunswick County for 323 acres on the north side of Falling River.[10] On the same day, Thomas Jones, Jr. received a grant for 400 acres on the south side of Falling River.[11] Both grants describe the land with metes and bounds and without adjacent landowners. A grant dated 12 January 1746, to Thomas Jones of Slate River adding an 86 acre tract on both sides of Falling River adjacent to his own line.[12]
Key Finding: The 30 July 1742 grant to Thomas Jones, Jr. without restriction indicates that he was of age thus born by 1721.
Key Finding: With multiple Thomas Joneses in the area, this reference to Slate River was key to differientating between men of the same name.
Lunenburg County
Thomas Jones, Sr. and Thomas Jones, Jr.’s Falling River lands fell into the newly formed Lunenburg County in 1746. A decade later on 16 August 1756, Thomas Jones and Thomas Jones, Jr. received a joint grant for 2,314 acres on both sides of Falling River that included a regrant of the 323 acres to Thomas Sr. and the 400 acres to Thomas Jr. both dated 30 July 1742, the 86 acres to Thomas Sr. dated 12 January 1746 and 1,505 acres never before granted. Besides the river and a lot of metes and bounds, the grant mentioned Johnson’s Branch and the Mill Run.[13]
Bedford County
The Joneses Falling River lands fell into Bedford County when it formed in 1754. In two Bedford County deeds dated 15 December 1760 and recorded on 23 March 1761, Thomas Jones, Sr. and Thomas Jones, Jr. of Albemarle County sold two tracts out of their 2,314 acre jointly held tract. They sold 700 acres to William Jones of Albemarle County for £177.17.7 ½ described as being on Falling River in Bedford County “bounded by the old lines as per patent dated 16 August 1756.” Thomas Jones, Sr. reserved for himself 100 acres “on the Mill Creek during my natural Life and after my Decease to Return to the said William Jones” and “Likewise the Eighty six Acres of Low ground lying against the above Thomas Jones, Jr.”[15] They also sold John Jones of Albemarle County for £177.17.7 ½, 683 acres on Falling River in Bedford County being the same tract where James Johnson formerly lived, “bounded by the same lines as per patent dated 16 August 1756.”[16]
Observations/Thoughts: In the 1760 Deed to Hoy, Thomas, Sr and William could sign their names, while John made his mark. In the 1760 deeds to John and William, Thomas Sr. signed his name while Thomas Jr. made his mark. Thomas Jones, Sr. also wrote the will of Samuel Glover in 1746 so he had to have been able to read and write. How is it that two of his three sons couldn’t sign their names well into adulthood? Thomas Jones, Sr. was about 50 years old when he received his 1740 Goochland County grant. Where did he learn to read and write in a time when the significant majority of people were illiterate? This feels like an important clue to finding out about the origins of Thomas Jones of Slate River.
Buckingham County
In 1761, the Joneses residing along Slate River experienced another boundary transition as their Albemarle County lands fell into the newly created Buckingham County. As mentioned in Part 1, a significant portion of the records pertaining to Buckingham County were lost due to a fire at the courthouse in 1869. Only a few colonial era records exist. One is partial list tithe list from 1764, but it is limited to surnames that begin with the letters A through G, along with a few tithables associated with those individuals. Fortunately, tithe lists from the years 1773 and 1774 exist and include names of white tithable males 21+, white males 16-20, as well as the names of the enslaved are available. The earliest record we have in Buckingham County for the Slate River Joneses comes from the Jones v. Jones suit, which includes a 1763 Buckingham County Deed, in which Thomas, Sr., John and William Jones sold 236 acres to John Hoy reducing their joint holdings to 2,186 acres.[17]
Death of Thomas Jones, Sr.
The Jones v. Jones case included a finding that Thomas Jones, Sr. died between 1767-1669. Based on the outcome of the Jones v. Jones case and inheritance laws at the time for those dying intestate, we can surmise that John and William each held a 50 % interest in their jointly held 2,186 acres. As the eldest son, John would have inherited the 400 acres his father bought in 1756. In Bedford County, Thomas Jr. presumably inherited the 931 acres he held jointly with his father as I found no record of eldest brother John Jones bringing any claim.
Buckingham County Tithe Lists
From the colonial period, there are extant lists only for 1773 and 1774. These lists are critical for Buckingham researchers as they not only include the name of the personal responsible for the tax, white male tithables 21+, white males <21 [16-20] as well as the names of the enslaved people they held. For the Joneses of Slate River brothers John2 and William Jones are both found. In the case of eldest brother John Jones, his oldest sons are identified.
1773
John Jones, John Jones, Jr.[16-20 in 1773 (b.c. 1753-1757)], Thomas Jones [16-20 in 1773 (b.c.1753-1757)][18] Mark, Roger, Joe, Harry, Phillis, Angeller, Sook and Barybery the Miller (10 tithes – Henry Bell’s list).[19]
William Jones list[20], Ellick, Sam, Sarah, Kez & Isbell (5 tithables – John Cabell’s list).[21]
1774
John Jones, William Burton, Thomas Jones, Mark, Joe, Roger, Phillis, Angela, Suck (9 tithables – Charles May’s list).[22]
William Jones, Sam, Ralph, Sarah, Cunnary, Moll & Isbell (7 tithables – Charles Patteson’s list)[23]
1773 & 1774 Buckingham County tithe lists
From these lists we can establish that:
- John Jones Sr.’s sons John Jones, Jr. and Thomas Jones were born between 1753-1757. [1773 list]
- John Jones, Jr. is not living in Buckingham County [1774 list]
- William Jones was not living in Buckingham County in 1773, but was living there in 1774
- William Jones has no other white male tithables – no sons 16-20 [1774 list]
1782 & 1783 Buckingham County tax lists
The next extant lists for Buckingham County are from 1782 and 1783. Fortunately, the personal property tax lists include both white male tithables 21+ as well as white male tithables under 21 years old [aged 16-20]. The Slate River Jones are included as follows:
1782
John Moseley’s list:
John Jones, Sr., Jesse Jones [16-20 in 1782 b.c. 1762-1766], 24 enslaved – 9 tithable and 15 not tithable, 28 cattle, 11 horses. Enslaved were Mark, Joe, Tarlton, David, Phillis, Angelah, Hannah, Suck, Anaca (tithable), Tenar/Tamer(?), Ben, Jane, Balandah, Isaac, Phebe, Seneca, Frederick, Talton, Cambridge, Violet, Judy , (?), Susanna, (?) (not tithable)
Joel Walker Jones 1-0-0-0-0-3-0 – [him and 3 enslaved] – Abraham, Buxton, Ledy, Phillis (not tithable), 18 cattle, 6 horses[24]
William Jones, Senr. Wm Jones, Jr. [16-20 in 1782 b.c. 1762-1766], 17 enslavedRalph, Sal, Cox, Barbara, Isbel, Rachel, Nann, George (tithable), Hannah, Jack, Titus, Jeffery, Tiller, Joe, Paul, Bina, Lidd (not tithable), 32 Cattle, 11 Horses[25]
John Johns list (District 5):
Thomas Jones 1-0-0-1-4-0-0 [him, 1 horse, 4 cows] [26]
William Jones, Senr. At his quarter called Rose’s, Thomas Smith, Campbell, Will or Gill (tithable), Rose, Boson (not tithable) 1-0-2-2-0-0-0 [overseer and four enslaved][27]
William Perkins list[28]
John Anthony Jones 1-0-6-12-6-27 – no enslaved listed by name [6 tithable, 12 not tithable]
1783
John Moseley’s list[29]
John Jones, Sr, Jesse Jones, Mark, Talton, David, Phillis, Angelina, Sue, Hanner, Anaka, Isaac, Frederick, Seneca, Judy, Talton, Dick, Jane, Balander, Phebe, Susanna, Alea/Alec, Violet, Priscilla, Ame, Crease, Cambridge 1-1-9-16-13-26
John Jones, Jr., Sam, Harry, Peter, Peg, Luce, James, Phill, Absolom, Buxton, Ned, Jenny/Jemmy/ Jimmy, Phillis 1-0-6-6-6-16
William Jones [Sr.], Ralph, Silas, Caser [Caesar], Isbal, Hanner, Barbary, Sall, Nance, Rachel. Dolly, Jack, Paul, Joe, Frank, Jeffrey, Sillar, Bina, Lydda 2-1-10-8-11-30
William Perkins’ list:[30]
John Anty Jones 0-0-6-5-11-6-27 (William Perkins list) – no enslaved names
Hickerson Barksdale’s list:[31]
Joel Jones, Rose, Tenar, Ben, Rachel, Suck, York, Dick 1-7-0-2-2-7 [Joel Walker Jones]
From the 1782 and 1783 personal property tax lists we learn that:
- Joel3 Walker Jones [son of John] and John3 Anthony Jones [son of William] were not listed in 1774 as both were under 16 years old [b. aft. 1758]. In 1782, both men are 21+ years old [b. by 1761]. Joel Walker Jones and John Anthony Jones were both born between 1758 and 1761.
- Jesse3 Jones [son of John] and William Jones, Jr. [son of William] are listed with their fathers in 1782 as under 21 [16-20]. They were both born between 1762-66.
- William3 Jones, Jr. was not in Buckingham County in 1783.
- John Anthony3 Jones was not in Buckingham County in 1783.
- Thomas3 Jones [son of John2] left Buckingham by 1782
1782 Buckingham County Land Tax – one list[32]
Next time: The Jones Family of Slate River, Buckingham County, Virginia – Part 3: The Falling River Joneses
[1] (Thomas Jones) Land Office Patents No. 19, 1739-1741, p. 675 (Reel 17), (John Jones) Land Office Patents No. 19, 1739-1741, p. 672 (Reel 17), (William Jones) Land Office Patents No. 19, 1739-1741, p. 674 (Reel 17), Library of Virginia
[2] Albemarle County Order Book 1744-1748, p. 22; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-Z9P8-6?view=fullText&keywords=Thomas%20Jones&groupId=M9N2-17W
[3] Land Office Patents No. 25, 1745-1747, p. 506 (Reel 23), Library of Virginia
[4] Albemarle County Order Book 1744-1748, p. 121; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-Z955-6?view=fullText&keywords=Thomas%20Jones&groupId=M9N2-17W
[5] Albemarle County, Virginia Order Book 1744-1748, p. 217; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-Z95F-C?view=fullText&keywords=Thomas%20Jones&groupId=M9N2-17W
[6] Land Office Patents No. 31, 1751-1756 (v.1 & 2 p.1-751), p. 726 (Reel 29), Library of Virginia
[7] Thomas Jones is styled neither Sr. nor Jr. in this record; however, this is Thomas, Sr. Thomas Jones, Jr. was elsewhere making the moniker unnecessary.
[8] Land Office Patents No. 33, 1756-1761 (v.1, 2, 3 & 4 p.1-1095), p. 108 (Reel 31-32), Library of Virginia
[9] Albemarle County, Virginia Deed Book No. 3 1761-1764, p. 1; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-5S61-X?view=fullText&keywords=William%20Jones&groupId=M9NL-N27
[10] Land Office Patents No. 21, 1742-1743 (v.1 & 2 p.1-674), p. 49 (Reel 19), Library of Virginia
[11] Land Office Patents No. 21, 1742-1743 (v.1 & 2 p.1-674), p. 69 (Reel 19), Library of Virginia
[12] Land Office Patents No. 25, 1745-1747, p. 596 (Reel 23), Library of Virginia
[13] Land Office Patents No. 34, 1756-1765, p. 94 (Reel 33-34), Library of Virginia
[14] Fry, J., Jefferson, P. & Jefferys, T. (1755) A map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland: with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. [London, Thos. Jefferys] [Map] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/74693089/.
[15] Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 1 1754-1762, p. 358; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-M369-1?view=fullText&keywords=Thomas%20Jones%2CFalling&groupId=M9J3-FWV
[16] Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 1 1754-1762, p. 360; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-M36S-B?view=fullText&keywords=Thomas%20Jones%2Cfalling&groupId=M9J3-FWV
[17] Jones. vs Jones. Prince Edward County, Virginia District Court Will Books 1&2 with inventories and accounts, pp. 13-44: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-L9XV-W?view=fullText&keywords=William%20Jones&groupId=M9XH-C4D
[18] White male tithables were those aged 16+ from 1748-1776; Bob’s Genealogy Filing Cabinet, Southern and Colonial Genealogies, https://genfiles.com/articles/tithables/
[19] Buckingham County, Virginia 1773-1774 list if tithables; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-4TM9?cat=274745&i=6
[20] “List” means William Jones was not living here thus no tax charged for him – only the five enslaved people he held there.
[21] Buckingham County, Virginia 1773-1774 list if tithables; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-4RBF?cat=274745&i=9
[22] Buckingham County, Virginia 1773-1774 list if tithables; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-4RBD?cat=274745&i=18
[23] Buckingham County, Virginia 1773-1774 Tithables lists; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-4R13?cat=274745&i=21
[24] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-B9MH?cat=406616&i=13
[25] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-B99T?cat=406616&i=14
[26] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-BT3?cat=406616&i=10
[27] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-B55?cat=406616&i=12
[28] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-BTZ?cat=406616&i=27
[29] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-BV1?cat=406616&i=51
[30] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-B97R?cat=406616&i=40
[31] Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1789; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-BP5?cat=406616&i=48
[32] Buckingham County VA Land Tax 1782-1804;https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/408775
A Son of Virginia 